Lubricator



ATENT rrrcn.

PATRICK H. KANE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

LUBRICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,717, dated December 21, 1897'.

Application filed March 1, 1897. Serial No. 625,487. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK H.KANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lubricators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention belongs to the class of lubricators which employ a pump for supplying oil to the part to be lubricated and in which the plunger is operated intermittently by a ratchet device, and relates more particularly to a multiple pump which is designed to supply oil simultaneously to a number of partssuch, for instance, as the several cylinders of a triple-expansion engine.

My invention has for its objects to provide the pump with a noiseless actuating device of simple construction which will operate reliably in all positions of the actuating-arm; to render the stroke of the pump variable, so that it can be regulated for supplying a greater or less quantity of oil; to provide simple means whereby the oil from one or more of the pumps may be returned directly to the suction-chamber of the pumps or other source of supply in case any of the parts or machines in communication with the pumps are temporarily idle, and, finally, to so construct the lubricator that the number of pumps may be increased or reduced in accordance with the number of parts or machines to be lubricated.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved multiple lubricator. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one side thereof, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the same end of the lubricator, showing the feedpawl out of engagement with the ratchetwheel. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the opposite side of the lubricator, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken centrally through one of the pumps. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the lubricator. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the ratchetfeed. Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged cross-sections of one of the two-way valves arranged in the delivery-pipes of the pumps.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A is the base of the lubricator, which is made hollow, so as to form a common supplychamber A for the several pumps, and which has on one side an inlet A, Fig. 1, through which oil is supplied from any suitable tank or receptacle.

B are the upright barrels, and b the plungers of the pumps, three such pumps being shown in the drawings, although a greater number may be employed; or, if desired, but two pumps may be used. The pump-barrels extend downwardly into the common supplychamber A, as shown in Fig. 6, and the pumps may be of the well-known single-acting type. In the construction shown in the drawings each pumpbarrel communicates on one side with the supply-chamber A by a horizontal passage 0 and a vertical passage 0', Fig. 5, both of which passages open into an upright valve-chamber D, in which is arranged a suction-valve d, as shown in Fig. 5. This valve closes downwardly against a seat at the upper end of the vertical passage 0, and its stem is guided in a hollow screw-plug d, which normally closes the upper end of the valve-chamber D. From the opposite sideof each pump-barrel leads a horizontal discharge-passage e, which communicates by. a Vertical passage 6 with an upright valvechamber E, containing the u pwardly-openin g discharge or check valve 8 F is the delivery-pipe connected with the valve-chamber E, and F a branch leading from the delivery-pipe to the en gine-cylinder or other part to be lubricated. The stem of the discharge-valve e is guided in a hollow screw-plug e similar to the plug d.

Each of the pump-plungers b is provided at its upper end with a transverse yoke G, and the several yokes embrace the wrist-pins hof a horizontal crank-shaft arranged above the pump-barrels, whereby the plungers are re ciprocated in an obvious manner by the rotation of the crank-shaft. erably composed of separate sections H H H This shaft is prefas shown in Fig. 6, and each section except I the front or actuating section H carries an integral crank-disk h at each end, while said actuating-section carries such a disk at its inner end only. For convenience in assembling the parts, each wrist-pin h consists of a screw-bolt which engages with its screwthreaded portion in a corresponding opening in the right-hand crank-disk of a pair and with its smooth portion in an unthreaded opening in the other crank-disk of the same pair, as shown in Fig. 6.

The crank-shaft is supported in bearings 2', formed partly in standards I I I rising from the hollow base A and partly in a cap-piece l removably secured to the upper ends of the standards by screws or bolts '5, as shown in Fig. 1. The cap-piece I is provided with openings through which the upper guidestemsj of the plunger-yokes G pass.

In order to permit the use of a greater or less number of pumps, the lubricator is constructed in sections, each of which contains a complete pump, and for the same purpose the crank-shaft is made sectional, as above described, so that a shaft-section may be added for every additional pump. In the construction shown in the drawings the hollow base A is divided vertically midway between the pump-barrels, as shown in Figs. 1

. and 6, and the standards I I 1 are likewise divided, preferably by a vertical joint is, extending nearly to the upper end of each standard, and a horizontal joint extending laterally to the side of the standard, as shown in Fig. 1. By this construction the pumpsection of the lubricator at its actuating 0r right-hand end carries the complete outer standard I and a part of the next or intermediate standard I, the intermediate pump-section carries a portion of the second standard I and a portion of the third standard I, while the end pump-section carries only a portion of the third standard 1 If desired, the Vertical joints is may be extended to the upper ends of the standards instead of running horizontally to the sides of the same. The cappiece I is preferably made in one piece, and cap-pieces of different lengths are kept in stock for fitting lubricators with any desired number of pumps. The several pump-sections are secured together by horizontal screws or bolts 73, passing through the standards I I and through ears k arranged at the meeting faces of the base portions of the sections, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, and the sections are further united at the bases by ferrules or nipples k driven into horizontal openings formed in the opposing walls of the sections, as shown in Fig. 6, and forming connecting-passages between the hollow bases of the several sections.

In increasing or multiplying the number of pumps after placing the first crank-shaft section H in its bearing the second pump-section is placed against the first section. The wristpin h is then passed through the yoke G of the first pump-plunger and screwed into the disk of the first shaft-section. The second shaft-section H is then put in place and the smooth opening of its front crank-disk passed over the smooth end of said wrist-pin. The remaining pumps are added in the same manner, and finally the cap-piece I is applied and secured in place.

The feed device for intermittently rotating the crank-shaft is constructed as follows: L is a ratchet-wheel rigidly secured to the projecting front end of the crank-shaft, and L is an actuating-pawl engaging therewith and mounted on an oscillating arm or carrier M, arranged on the inner side of the ratchetwheel and capable of vibrating on the crankshaft. The pawl L is pivoted upon a horizontal pin m, projecting from the carrier M, and is provided with an actuating arm or extension L extending beyond its pivot and connected by a suitable rod with any moving part of the engine or other machine to be lubricated, such connection being common and therefore not shown in the drawings. When the pawl-arm L is moved forward, the carrier M is vibrated in the same direction and the pawl is caused to engage with the ratchet-wheel and turn the same and the shaft the distance of one or more teeth of the wheel, according to the stroke of the pawl arm, thereby raising or depressing the several pump-plungers in the same measure. The return stroke of the pawl is ineffective in an obvious manner, thus turning the crank-shaft intermittently. In order to prevent the pawl from riding over the teeth of the ratchetwheel during its return stroke and obviate the consequent disagreeable clicking noise, a stop or pin m is arranged on the face of the carrier M above the pawl, which stop is located at such a distance above the pawl that the same does not come in contact with the stop until after the pawl has swung clear of the ratchet-wheel, as shown in Fig. 3. During the backward stroke of the pawl-arm, the carrier remains at rest until the pawl strikes the stop m, when the carrier is caused to swing backward with the pawl-arm, thus carrying the pawl backward into a position in which it clears the ratchet-wheel and preventing clicking during its return stroke. A cushion Z, of leather or other non-metallic material, is arranged on the back of the pawl opposite the stop m, so as to prevent noise from the impact of the pawl.

To enable the pawl-arm to be vibrated effectively in either direction, the pawl is made reversible on the carrier M, and for this purpose the stop m is arranged centrally on the carrier and the latter is provided with two openings m m arranged symmetrically with reference to the stop an, in either of which openings the pivot-pin m of the pawl may be placed. The dotted lines in Fig. 2 show the pawl in the reverse position from that illustrated in full lines, and when the pawl is thus reversed its pivot-pin is placed in the lefthand hole m of the carrier and the ratchet wheel L is also reversed on the shaft, the wheel being secured to the shaft by any suitable means which permits its convenient reversal.

The position of the carrier M varies according to the position of the actuating or connecting rod, which vibrates the pawl, and

when the carrier occupies an overhanging position it is liable to descend bygravity in the same measure as the pawl swings on its pivot, in which case the pawl fails to engage with the ratchet-wheel during its forward stroke. The pawl, in order to engage with the ratchetwheel, must swing independently of the carrier to a sufficient extent to interlock with the teeth of the wheel before the carrier takes part in the movement of the pawl, and to insure this advance movement of the pawl in all positions of the carrier the movement of the latter is retarded by a suitable frictional device which yieldingly holds the carrier against turning on the crank-shaft. The preferred retarding means, which is shown in the drawings, consists of a number of springs n, seated in longitudinal sockets n, formed in the hub of the carrier. Each of these springs bears at one end against the bottom of the socket n and at its opposite end against the head of a bolt or follower M, which in turn bears against the adjacent standard I of the lubricator. The springs 01. force the carrier against the inner side of the ratchet-wheel and thereby create sufficient friction between these parts to prevent the carrier from swinging without restraint into or toward a pendent position, in which it renders the pawl inoperative.

For the purpose of rendering the stroke of the pump-plungers variable, so as to supply a greater or less quantity of oil to the part to be lubricated, each yoke G is provided with an internal vertically-adjustable bearing plate or follower 0, between which and the opposin g wall of the yoke the wrist-pin it operates. This follower is provided on its upper side with upright guide-pins 0, which slide in Vertical openings formed in the top of the yoke, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby preventing the follower from turning or twisting in the yoke. The follower is adjusted by means of the upper guide-stem j of the yoke, which is provided with an external screwthread engaging in a screw-threaded opening formed centrally in the top of the yoke, the guide-stem being loosely connected with the follower by a screw 0 Fig. 6, which permits the stem to turn freely in the follower, but compels the follower to move vertically with the stem. Upon turning the stem in either direction the follower is adjusted toward or from the lower bar of the yoke, thereby narrowing or widening the yoke-opening, allowing a corresponding amount of dead movement of the wristpin and producing a correspondingly longer or shorter stroke of the pump-plunger. The upper end of the adjusting-stemsj are made square or of other angular form, so that they can be turned by a suitable wrench.

Each of the delivery-pipes of themultiple lubricator is provided with a test pipe or nozzle I, having a stop-cock p, and at the junction of this pipe with the delivery-pipe is arranged a two-way valve 19. The passages of this two-way valve are so arranged that when the Valve is turned into one position commupipe between its stop-cock p and the two-wayvalve 19 and leading to the supply-chamber in the hollow base A, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5. This return-pipe is provided with a stop-cock q.

W hen it is desired to determine whether a particular pump is in proper working order, the cock of the test-pipe P is opened, the cock of the return-pipe q is closed, and the two-.

way valve p is turned into the position shown in Fig. 9, when the oil will spurt through the test-cock if the pump is working properly. In case any of the parts or machines connected with the lubricator are temporarily out of use and it is desired to shut off the supply of oil therefrom the cock of the return-pipe q is opened, the cock of the test-pipe p is closed, and the two-way valve is turned into the position shown in Fig. 9, when the oil will pass from the delivery-pipe F directly into the return-pipe and back into the supply-chamber A, thus simply circulating the oil through the supply-chamber by means of the return pipe.

By the use of my improved multiple'lubricator the oil-supply to any part or machine can not only be shut off conveniently, but the stroke of each pump can be individually regulated to supply the desired quantity of oil to its respective part, regardless of the amount delivered by the other pumps. construction of the lubricator is, moreover, very simple, neat, and compact.

The improvements in the feed-pawl and its carrier and the means for regulating the stroke of the pump-plungers are obviously applicable to lubricators having but a single pump as well as to a multiple lubricator.

I claim asmy invention 1. In a lubricator-pump, the combination with the pump-plunger having an actuatingyoke, of an adjustable follower arranged in the yoke and. held against turning therein, and a rotary adj usting-screw engaging in a screw-threaded opening formed in the yoke and connected with said follower, substantially as set forth.

2. In a lubricator, the combination with a pump and its plunger and a shaft from which the plunger is actuated, of a ratchet-wheel mounted on said shaft, an oscillatory carrier pivoted onthe shaft and having a stop, and a pawl pivoted on said carrier and arranged to come in contact with said stop during its return stroke, substantially as set forth.

3. In a lubricator, the combination with a pump and its plunger and a shaft from which the plunger is actuated, of a ratchet-wheel mounted reversibly on said shaft, an oscilla- The IIO

tory carrier pivoted on the shaft and having a central stop and symmetrically-arranged pivot-openings located on opposite sides of said stop, and a reversible pawl having its pivot arranged in one of said openings and adapted to come in contact with said stop during its return stroke, substantially as set forth.

4. In a lubricator, the combination with a pump and its plunger and a shaft from which the plunger is actuated, of a ratchet-wheel mounted on said shaft, an oscillatory carrier journaled on the shaft and having a stop, means for yieldingly holding the carrier against turning on the shaft, and a pawl pivoted to said carrier and adapted to engage with the ratchet-Wheel and arranged to come in contact with said stop during its return stroke, substantially as set forth.

5. In a lubricator, the combination with a pump and its plunger and a shaft from which the plunger is actuated, of a ratchet-wheel mounted on said shaft, an oscillatory carrier PATRICK II. KANE.

lVitnesses:

CARL F. GEYER,

J NO. J. BONNER. 

